Thanks to the generous support of the Schmid Foundation, four students—three from Nebraska Law and one from St. John’s University—attended the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The annual event, which brings together leaders from across the global space community, offered students a unique opportunity to engage directly with astronauts, engineers, policymakers, and legal experts shaping the future of space.
For Kelsie Jackson, ’26, the experience was transformative. “As someone heading to SpaceX this summer, it was invaluable to see how the legal and technical sides of space truly intersect,” she said. “It deepened my commitment to space law and reminded me why this field is so important.”
Fellow attendee Dakota Figueroa, ’25, said the experience significantly expanded his understanding of the field. “My perspective of space law grew massively by having the opportunity to talk to the leading space lawyers in the field,” he said. “The Symposium also provided great networking opportunities that will help me kickstart my career soon after graduating from law school.”
The recipient of our Student Travel Award, Chelsea Merrill, currently studying law at St. John’s University and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, found the event both validating and eye-opening. “Attending the Space Symposium reinforced just how integral law and policy are to the future of the space industry,” he said. “It was especially meaningful to see how my experience in national security and space operations can continue to inform my work—now from a legal and policy perspective.”
